"WHEN THERE WAS THUNDER"........... by Dick Spooner

Well, its official….Dick Spooner’s latest creation “When There Was Thunder” was officially released into print on July 26, 2011 at our “Backroom 400” dinner with 9 apostles in attendance at Boston Pizza on Memorial Ave.  The predominant building in this picture which is still there today is of course the CLE Coliseum as well as many of the homes along Northern Ave.

The "Backroom 400" was initially called the “Backyard 400” held at Ron Limbrick’s home every July 1^st weekend starting a number of years ago with some famous guests in attendance in those days such as Bud Heidrick, Glen Kettering, Louis Tocheri, Red Marsonet, Merv Dove, etc. etc., some of whom are not with us today.
Merv Dove graciously took over the event for the last few years as a dinner get together.  The whole thing has gone on for about 12 years or so.

Dick Spooner of local art fame….you can see his complete website and profile by clicking here http://my.tbaytel.net/sunrise_shores/ was commissioned or we should say encouraged to do a piece on the CLE track from the late 1950’s.  It all started in 2009 with a sketch on a McDonald’s restaurant napkin shown here.  The original sketch showed the 4th corner but the final piece shows turn 1 and 2.  This was featured on this blog page some time back.  Click here then come back http://hotrodsandjalopies.blogspot.com/2009/06/dick-spooners-napkin-art.html

After much serious thought and input from a few others, Dick finished his wonderful piece and did release it on the above noted date.  Merv Dove driving  the famed #31 stock car back then, and who has hosted the dinners for the past number of years was elected by Dick to be in first place.  You will note that many of the other race car numbers are somewhat generic, as not to offend anyone I suppose.

In attendance left to right starting at the back was Dennis Winko, Dick Spooner, Bob Walker, Dave Cano, Ron Limbrick, Jim Hamer, Merv Dove, Volker Lehmann, and Alan Yahn.  Missing from the picture and this specific dinner was Gary Jansekovich, and Tom Kusznier.

Merv himself was honoured to have print #1, Allan Yahn has print #2, and I have print #3.  If you are interested in owning one of these wonderful prints, you can contact Dick directly at his website.  They are 11" X 17" overall and a limited quantity of only 110 will be produced.

I was honoured by Dick to be told that it was me in the white jacket and cap selling cokes at the races.  That was the only way I could get in for free and still afford to go roller skating at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night…LOL.

Be sure to click on all photos to enlarge them.......and a HUGE thanks to Dick Spooner for the wonderful art piece that we have patiently been waiting for for quite awhile!!!

Dick Spooner's napkin art!

Dick Spooner, local artist of fame, friend and great guy did a preliminary sketch today Sunday June 14, taking him only a few seconds, and from memory(a photo he had seen on my blog site here).

Dick is an incredible artist, educated here in Thunder Bay and Toronto. He is an honours graduate of the Communication Design course of the Ontario College of Art majoring in photography and illustration.

Dick's illustrations, specifically cityscapes and landscapes in and around Thunder Bay have been reproduced from original works into limited edition prints and art cards. Visitors to Thunder Bay, regional dignitaries and former residents have carried these items to all corners of Canada and the world.

Looking at the enlargement of the sketch, you can see that it was done on....oh yes!, a McDonald's restaurant napkin.

We are trying to get Dick to do a rendering of our old local stock car track that used to exist at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds in the intercity area of Thunder Bay.

Great start Dick....give it a go....

The coloured picture on the right is the one he had remembered from my site. Click on either of these photos to enlarge. You can also see Dick's own website by clicking here http://my.tbaytel.net/sunrise_shores/ Thanks a ton RL. Dick's ice racing talents will also be shown on this blogsite some time soon.